Pretear Fan Fiction ❯ Field Full of Daisies ❯ Guns N� Roses ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Field Full Of Daisies-Guns N' Roses

“I met a boy in this field, he-. He picked me up and smiled at me. And even though my thorns made him bleed, he didn't care, because he was smiling at me.”

Kagura

Maki awoke to the sound of Mimi getting dressed at 3 in the morning. He sighed. Again? “Where are you going so early in the morning?” He sat up against the headboard of the bed and stared at her. She ignored him and continued with pulling her pants up. “I'm talking to you,” he said a little louder.

“I'm going home Maki,” she stated bluntly. She sounded a bit angry too.

“What's your problem this time?”

“The same damn problem I have with you every time. My name's MI-MI. You can remember it when you call me to come over but you can't remember it when we're fucking. So I'm going home.”

“Mi-“

“Next time you want to get off, call Kagura. That is what you keep calling me right?”

“You weren't complaining yesterday afternoon.”

“Well this is the last time.”

“That's what you said last time.”

“Whatever.” Mimi grabbed her bag and left.

“Lock the door behind you!” Maki called out. Then he heard the door slam and sighed. She'll be back.

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Kagura froze as the door opened up. I gotta get out of here.

The door opened up. Ayanami and Hayate walked into the living room. “Sasame! Don't tell me you fell asleep in front of the television!”

The blonde practically jumped out of his sleep. “H-Hey mom…”

“Don't you hey mom me. Get up.”

God my head hurts. Uh…where's Kagura…? He looked around and all he found was an open window. Figures.

(Sanma's house)

“Kagura!” Himeno called out. She walked up the stairs to find the girl was already in the shower. Himeno awaited anxiously for Kagura to get out. As soon as she wrapped a towel around her and stepped out, she was surprised to see that Himeno was still standing there. “You'll never guess what happened!”

Kagura walked into her room to get dressed and Himeno followed. “Did you win?”

“YES!” she cheered. Kagura walked into her closet and got dressed while Himeno sat at the foot of her bed. “AAAaand…”

Kagura's head popped out of the closet momentarily. “And what?”

“And I got a boyfriend,” she squealed. The inside of the closet got quiet. Like time had frozen for a while. “Kagura?”

“I'm listening. That's great. So what's his name?” I'll slit that neighbor kid's throat for touching my sister-

“Tetsu. You remember him right? He's-“

“I know who he is.” It was quiet for a while longer, then Kagura came out of the closet fully clothed. “Sanma taped it didn't she?”

“No, Ayanami-sama taped it. We're going over there to watch it. You coming?”

“Yeah.”

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Tetsu awoke in the middle of the night as usual. He always became really hungry at night. He sat up…or at least tried to anyway. That's when he noticed his wrists and ankles were tied to the four posts of his bed. “What the hell?”

“Look who's awake. I was beginning to get bored.”

Tetsu looked over to the dark corner in the far side of his room. Even in how dark it was, her hair and flaming eyes were still visible. They were the only things visible. “Kagura?”

“You really are a heavy sleeper you know. I had to shoot your dog because it barked too loud and you slept right through it.”

“You shot my dog!”

“It's just a joke. To be honest I didn't even know you had a dog. I came in through the window there.”

“Untie me.”

“Why? You scared?” He could tell with the way she spoke that she was smiling at him. Kagura got up from her seat in to corner and walked over to the foot of his bed, where the moonlight revealed her appearance. She pulled her chair up with her and sat down. “So, Tetsu, I understand that you're my sister's boyfriend now.”

“So.”

“Just like that…over one weekend. This isn't fucking middle school. You establish a relationship before you become boyfriend and girlfriend. It's not that simple.”

“Would you have let me?”

“No. That's the fucking point!” Kagura paused and calmed down. “You're going to tell her `I apologize but I can't go out with you for personal reasons I am uncomfortable with'.”

“You make it sound like I have an STD or something.”

“Really? That's what I was going for.”

“I'm not dumping your sister. At least…not until I---AAAAHHH!”

Kagura pulled out her short sword and shoved it half way into his left leg. “Not until you what?”

“You bitch! Take it out!” He began jerking around and shouting.

“Alright,” Kagura shrugged. She yanked at it and Testu screamed a little louder. “That's my bad. I shoved it in too hard. It's stuck.” Kagura yanked at it again and this time it came out. She wiped it off on his sheets and watched him bleed for a while. “Do you remember the night of the festival? I threatened to climb into your bedroom window, and slit your throat if you told anyone. In that same time I repeatedly told you to stay away from my sister. And did you listen?”

“…”

“I'll take your silence as a no. So do you know what I'm going to do don't you? Just know you've brought it on yourself.”

Tetsu's bedroom door opened. “You haven't changed any.” Berserk smiled at her from the doorway. “But I'm afraid I can't let you kill him. He's my brother…no matter how hard-headed.”

“You couldn't come when she stabbed me in the leg!”

“You had to have done something to deserve it.”

“What kind of brother are you? Take me to the hospital! I'm telling mom when they come home.”

“Stop being such a little bitch. You're embarrassing me.” Kagura jumped on Berserk's back and hugged him.

“HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!” She continued kissing him on the cheek. “Don't be angry with me.” She stared at him with the most innocent look on her face and he just laughed.

“Oh, all of a sudden you go from devil to sweetheart.”

“Shut your mouth bastard,” she whispered to Tetsu before jumping off Berserk's back. “You're not going to tell are you?”

“You were never here.” Kagura gave him one last hug, then climbed out the window.

“…Is anyone going to take me to the hospital yet. My leg fucking hurts.”

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Kagura was a bit disturbed the next morning at school. She had another talk with Tetsu that morning just before school. He had told her that he wasn't going to break up with Himeno and that if she pulled another stunt like that, he'd tell Maki himself. He also informed her that Berserk had said he wouldn't do anything about it because it wasn't his conflict to interfere in. And that did sound like something he would say. Undoubtedly, Kagura wasn't too happy about this. Before she could kick his crutch he used to support his left side out from under him, Himeno showed up with that clueless-dopey smile of hers. Now they were sitting in class and Kagura couldn't be more distracted. Tetsu kept giving Himeno strange glances from over his shoulder, Himeno was blushing like a stupid child every time she noticed, and Hayate looked a little disturbed by it all. Yes Hayate. That good for nothing-! Just before they'd left, she'd asked him for a favor. Out of character and simple really. Watch her sister for a while and above all else, keep her away from perverts like Tetsu. And what happens? She comes back with a fucking boyfriend! She glared at Hayate. He noticed and rolled his eyes at her, continuing to stare out the window. “Don't you look at me like that you useless bastard!” Kagura shouted. Though her outburst silenced the room.

“I won't tolerate that type of behavior in my classroom. You'll be staying after school today!” the teacher commanded. Kagura gave her an angered look before she slumped backward into her seat.

“Whatever…”

“Since you're so willing to speak, how about you tell us what happened after Eiya died.”

“How should I know.”

“You were supposed to read the story!”

“So I forgot. Big deal. All of his stories end the same way. Boy finds girl. Girl finds boy. They live happily ever after-“

“YOU'VE GOT ONE DAY TO READ THAT STORY!”

“…” I've got bigger things to worry about than a stupid story. But I guess I should…if I want her to shut up. “Yeah, sure.”

Himeno stared at her sister oddly. What's wrong with her?

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“We know she goes to Kogo High. I want you to go there and wait outside the school. If you see her, I don't want you to do anything. Just follow her and tell me where she's living now.” He handed them a picture to look over. The two men nodded at Maki and got into their car to drive away, but he stopped them before they left. “The woman in the photo goes to the school so that's no excuse. Don't bother coming back if you don't have that address.”

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Kagura stayed after, helping prep the pigs for their anatomy class tomorrow. After she was done, she reported to the principal's office. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes. I've received word of your behavior. Quite disappointing I must say. I would suspend you but somehow I don't think that would help.”

“No. It wouldn't. I'd enjoy the vacation though.”

“Which is exactly why I've got something else in mind. Since you seem to be so into spending time away from the school, I've decided to increase your amount of time here. As of tomorrow you are officially a member of the GMT,-”

“What?”

“-And the Archery team,-”

“Your kidding.”

“-And the Swim team and the Traditional Female's Club.”

“WHAT!”

“None of these extra curricular activities conflict with the other in schedule. Given your academic performance I'm sure you won't have a problem with your grades. And if you neglect to show up to said groups, I will add another, and have your guardian escort you to each one. Is that clear?”

“Crystal…”

“Don't be so angry. See it as a way to better yourself. Prepare your transcripts for a good college.”

“You're not my guidance counselor. I believe what I do after high school is none of your concern. Am I done here?”

“The old man stared at her from across the desk for a while. “You're dismissed.” Kagura swiftly lifted from her seat and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. “Watch it!” he called out.

“It slipped!” she shouted before leaving the building. She was surprised a little when she found who was waiting for her outside the building. “Wha-…What are you still doing here?”

“Hayate and Himeno didn't have kendo practice today so I took them home. Then I came back and hung out `til you were done here,” Sasame smiled. She stared at him oddly before a hesitant smirk spread across her face.

“You're…amusing. Weird…but amusing.”

She really doesn't remember… “I'll take that as a compliment.” They walked to the student parking lot and Kagura got in, glancing over her shoulder a few times. “Something wrong?”

“No.” Then she sighed. “I just don't want to go home yet. Take me somewhere. I'm hungry,” she practically demanded.

Sasame was a little surprised. Just us? Maybe…she does remember and is just trying to play it off. His face was colored with a faint pink.

“What's your problem? I've got money. I'll pay for my share.”

Nevermind. I guess not. “Alright.” They drove off. Kagura slumped down in her chair lazily, glancing over her shoulder again with a smile on her face. What is she looking at? “What is it?”

“I'm looking at you gorgeous now keep your eyes on the road,” she laughed. It sounded a bit like she was teasing him and he blushed partially at the idea of her being serious, and partially out of embarrassment. Maki's…such an ass. If wants to stalk me he could have done it himself.

“Do you mind if I ask? Where do you get so much money from if you don't have a job?”

“I had a job. Saved up and a got a bank account. Don't you have a job?”

“I'm going to get one. At the radio station here in Kogo. I can't get that good a job during school but this summer there's a radio show opening up called Words Gate. There'll be a try out to see who gets to be that radio personality. Until then I'm just going to work as an assistant there.”

“Want to go today?”

Again, Sasame was surprised. “Uh, if you don't mind.”

“Nope. I've got a lot of free time. At least for today. If I go home I have to listen to Himeno blab about Tetsu all day. And as of tomorrow I've joined three teams and a club. So I'll be staying after school every day except the weekend now.”

“That was your punishment? What'd he make you join?”

“Archery, swimming, Traditional females-“

“You? In the traditional females? That'll be funny,” Sasame laughed.

“And GMT. So for every time you laugh I can come to practice and knock you around.”

“O really? That would be amusing too.”

“Are you trying to say I can't?”

“We're here,” Sasame smiled.

“Don't ignore me.”

Sasame got out of the car and kept walking. “I thought you were hungry. Come on!”

“I said stop ignoring me!” Kagura chased him inside

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After they finished eating, the two sat on the couch and watched TV as they were soon growing used to. Though now they were striking up random conversation they would usually avoid. “Why is it that you've got so many girls chasing you…and no girlfriend?”

“Who says I don't,” he smirked.

“If you did, you wouldn't keep asking me do I want to hang out here and watch TV with you,” Kagura smirked back.

“You make it sound like I'm hitting on you.”

“Are you?”

“Do you want me to?”

Kagura laughed. “Not really. For some reason I'm in no mood to take you seriously.”

“That's too bad.”

Kagura stared at him a while and laughed again. “You're funny.”

“I like you like this. You should laugh more often.”

“Yeah, well, I think I'm buzzed.”

“What?” Sasame asked, confused.

“Intoxicated, but not full on drunk. Though it doesn't take much to get me there.”

“You drink?”

“Not anymore. Which is why I don't know how I got like this in the first place. Doesn't matter. I won't remember it in the morning. Used to happen all the time.”

“That's not safe.”

Kagura rolled her eyes with sarcasm. “Thanks mom but I had someone to take care of me.” Kagura slumped further into the couch. “Besides, you still didn't answer my question.”

“Hm? Oh. Eh, They like me and don't know me. Anyone like that isn't someone I'd want to date.”

“Then who would you date? Those are pretty much the only girls you come across.”

“Probably someone who isn't so quick to like me,” he said, glancing in her direction. It took a while to register with her before she smiled at him. Her laugh threatening the corners of her mouth.

“Are you asking?” She scooted a little closer to him. It was meant as a teasing joke. After all, Kagura did say she was in no mood to take anyone seriously.

“Only if you're saying yes,” he said, closing the gap. He leaned in, a little hesitant to see if she'd back away. She just stared at him, still looking as if she wanted to laugh. When he saw she wasn't backing down, he went in for the kill and kissed her. Nothing serious and he was almost sure he wasn't thinking clearly. He barely even felt it. Her skin was…so soft though. That, and the surprised look on Kagura's face. She tried to wipe it away quickly with that ever amusing smirk on her face. But right now, it didn't look taunting and cocky as it usual.

“Why'd you stop?” she smiled. He was a little surprised but leaned in again anyway. It was just as before. A bit firmer but just as gentle. Kagra's eyes opened and she stared at the face in front of her. If this wasn't the dullest thing she's ever done. But, the fact that he kissed like he'd never touched a girl before. It was…cute. Strangely. But still boring. Kagura put her hand behind his head and pulled him in a bit harder. Sasame's eyes flew open momentarily but he didn't exactly appose it. He should have expected it. She was an aggressive, violent woman. It was weird because he'd always imagined himself with someone else. Someone more gentle, more delicate, more quiet, more sophisticated, more traditional, more opposite of the person he was with now. I mean hell, she thinks she's drunk. If his mother didn't already know her, he'd be afraid of them running into each other. Though she did hold back on her personality among her elders. Sasame held her lower lip in his mouth a while longer before coming up for breath. Kagura just smirked at him.

“I'm tired,” she laughed. She plopped her head down in Sasame's lap. The blood quickly rushed to his face.

“You're not seriously sleeping here?”

She rolled over and pressed her face into his stomach. He was sure his entire face was a bright red now. She uncomfortably positioned a little too close to his- “Why not?”

“Hayate and my mother are going to be here early tomorrow morning.”

“So what? I was watching TV here with your son and must have fallen asleep by accident. It's my fault and it won't happen again. That's a good enough excuse right?”

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Why isn't she the same when she's drunk? How did she get that way to begin with? He glanced down at Kagura who had a bored expression on her face. When he'd first met her, bored expressions were usually frowns. Now he noticed she frowned like that most with strangers and unwanted company. He was pretty aggravated at the fact that she didn't remember. Then, maybe, them hanging out would be a little more than just them hanging out. But he figured she wasn't really herself that night. His eyes were glued to her mouth. She was smiling now. Beautiful…

“I asked you a question but you look too distracted to answer.”

“Oh, what?”

“Nevermind.” They sat inside and waited for someone to serve them. “Hey Sasame, do me a favor and order that fried stuff you got me at the carnival last time. I got o use the bathroom.” Kaura got up and left Sasame sitting by himself.

“Great. Stupid woman's going to take forever on this stupid date. I got somewhere to be,” one man in the car complained. “What's he want to know where she lives for anyway?”

His accomplice sat I the passenger seat with his eyes closed. The sight of the alley where they parked was beginning to bore him. “Relax. Would you rather be back there doing grunt work for him as usual. It's a simple task so just stop complaining.”

“Whatever. I need to piss.”

“Well you don't have to tell me. But don't go inside dumbass. She'll see you. Go in the alley somewhere.”

“I'm going behind the car. Don't look”

“Why the hell would I want to?” the man asked, irritated. He pulled his headphones on. “Just tell me when we're leaving.”

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The car door closed with a loud bang. His partner's eyes popped open and in the driver's seat beside him was his friend that had left to `piss' as he so politely put it. He had a bullet wound to the head and blood trickled out onto his surprised and lifeless face. “Holy shit!” He thrust the car door open and jumped out. Just as soon as he did, his body froze under the press of cold steel on the back of his neck.

“Such a shame. He was kinda cute though.”

“Just shoot me already.”

“If I wanted to shoot you I would have done it already. But then again, if I have to…” An evil little smirk appeared on her face. “Turn around so I can get a good look at you.”

He did as told and was rather surprised to see it had been the woman they were following. “You-“

“I'm not going to shoot you because I want you to go back to Maki's new house I know he bought and tell him I said I'll come visit him when I feel like it.”

“Is that it?”

“One more thing. You only need one foot to get there.”

“Don't.”

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“You're back. Eh…what happened to your sweater.”

“I took it off. What's the big deal?” Besides the fact that I got blood on it, no big deal.

“Here you two go,” a cheerful looking waitress smiled at the two. “Just a little heads up. Couples get half off.”

Sasame almost choked on the sandwich he was now eating. “Oh, we're not-“

“Sure. Whatever,” the girl shrugged. The waitress looked at the two oddly for a moment, then smiled and walked away.

“Uh Kagura-“

“Don't think too big on it. I'm doing you a favor. Who do you think's payin' for it?”

“Right.” I should have seen that coming…

“Besides. I'm not that ugly. You shouldn't mind too much.” She smiled at him momentarily before stuffing her face with food. Her hand was a little shaky and it worried him a little.

“You alright?”

“Hmm?” She looked down at her hand which he was evidently staring at. Kagura hadn't even noticed it shaking so she sat on it. “I'm fine. Stop worrying about me and eat.” It's been a while since I've just shot someone like that. I am getting soft.

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“Where have you two been, eh?” Himeno questioned. She was seated on the porch-swing outside the house with a little smirk on her face.

“Sasame here got a job,” Kagura smiled at her sister.

“Really? Just now?”

“Yeah. I work in the mailroom and as student apprentice to a radio personality down at the Kogo radio station,” he answered.

“Yeah,” Kagura laughed. “He works under the lady that's on all those posters we saw down in the shopping center.”

“The lady with the boobs bigger than her head?”

“Yeah. That's her.”

“Wow.” The two girls laughed at Sasame's red face.

“What are you doing out here anyway? Shouldn't you be on the phone talking to that pathetic boyfriend of yours?” She sat down on the swing next to her and Sasame sat on a chair nearby.

“Actually, that pathetic boyfriend of mine is here right now. And you're sitting in his seat,” Himeno said before poking her tongue out at Kagura. But she wasn't laughing.

“Tetsu's here? Where?” she asked.

Tetsu walked out of the house with Sanma balancing drinks and cookies. They were burned so it was obvious Sanma made them. This was one of those cases where Kagura wished Sanma was a little more strict. Instead there was a strange boy in her house with the child she takes care of and she was serving them food. “I didn't know you got here,” he said, smiling at Kagura. “And you too Sasame?”

“I live next door,” he answered a bit bitterly. I guess it was safe to say the two didn't like each other. Kagura smiled at that fact. The closest to negative emotion she'd seen in him yet.

“Right.” It was quiet for a while, then Himeno cleared her throat.

“Aren't you two going to go inside,” Himeno more hinted than asked Sasame was about to get up but Kagura stayed there.

“Nah. I like it better out here. Hanging with my favorite sister…favorite blonde neighbor…” Then she looked over at Tetsu who held an annoyed smile on his face. “Heh. I almost forgot you were standing there. So when are you leaving?”

“Kagura!” Himeno exclaimed embarrassed.

“What? Just because you go out with him doesn't mean I have to like him. Besides, I don't like you bringing strange men-…boys home with you.”

“You brought Sasame here.”

“Sasame lives next door. He's always here.”

Himeno got up and grabbed Kagura by the arm before dragging her inside the house. “Excuse us for a moment,” she smiled. They watched the two walk in and the door slammed shut.

It was quiet outside again. Then Sasame spoke. “I never did find out what happened to your last girlfriend.”

“She transferred schools,” Tetsu blurted out.

“Gee…I wonder why…So how'd you get that bandage on your leg?”

“…I fell.”

(inside)

“I can't believe you're being so rude!” Himeno said in a harsh whisper so the people outside couldn't hear.

Kagura spoke up, not caring whether they heard or not. “Just because he's going out with you doesn't mean I have to like him.”

“And it doesn't mean you have to get in the way,” Himeno spoke, still in a low voice.

“Your boyfriend is a pervert!”

“You think everbody's a pervert!”

“I'm right aren't I? I mean, for a guy like Sasame not to like him when he's always so happy all the time you got to see there's something wrong with him!”

“It's none of your business who I go out with anyway!”

“It's bad enough I see him at school. Now you're bringing him home with you? Are you on drugs?”

“You used to be so it shouldn't be that bad,” Himeno snapped.

It was quiet inside for a while. The two boys waited out on the porch for more shouts. Though Himeno's voice had been barely audible. Instead of more noise, Kagura popped her head out of the door. “You gotta go. New rule established. No boys in the house. And Himeno's not coming back out.” Tetsu walked off to his car and Kagura's gaze switched from him to Sasame who still sat there.

“Oh, me too?”

“Uh-huh. Buh-bye,” she said before closing the door.

“Kagura I'm sorry. I…shouldn't have said that.”

“Don't say sorry. You meant it. It's no big deal anyway,” she smiled.

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Kagura showed up about five minutes late to her GMT practice but the coach, who was also her gym teacher, forgave her for it. “Just don't let it happen again. Now suit up,” she said, giving Kagura a uniform. Kagura was a little surprised to see Mawata there as a member, since she was also the head of the Traditional Female Crap Club. Kagura put the uniform on, and walked back out. “Go stretch and I'll tell you what to do from then on. She walked over to a corner and sat down reaching for one leg and then another. She noticed Sasame wave at her and she nodded at him, too lazy to wave. Then the coach came back. “Alright. Let's get you right in there. Just to see where you are. I got to say though, we don't allow it when someone intentionally tries to seriously hurt someone here. It's all in sport okay? And, no kicks below the belt when it comes to the boys. I know they're wearing a cup but if you kick hard enough, it'll still hurt. Or so I'm told. I wouldn't know. I don't want to know-“

“I got it,” Kagura interrupted before the woman babbled on any further.

“Right. We'll get you started with our…least skilled member. Could everyone please organize along the side-lines. We've got to rank in the newest member, Kagura Sanma.”

“Awayuki.”

“But it says here-“

“I know. That's my guardian's last name. Not mine.” Kagura didn't like her father, but his last name was her mother's before she passed. And, he had been a good father…once upon a time. So she wasn't too disgusted on keeping it.

“Alright. Awayuki. Get in there. Fu, could you step in. You too Kagura. Don't be shy.”

Kagura frowned a bit. “Way to put me on the spot,” she muttered to herself. “Is this really necessary? I wouldn't mind forfeiting and taking the lowest rank.” It's not like I want to be here anyway.

“Nonsense. Besides, the principal already predicted something like that from you and said that we report to him if you don't. This doesn't have to be a punishment you know.”

Kagura kept her growl to herself before stepping out in the middle of the room before a girl with a determined look on her face. “I'll make you proud this time sensei,” Fu smiled.

Kagura's brow raised. “Just do your best,” the couch smiled.

“Go Fu!” one boy unseen cheered. It was obviously a joke. Someone out there must have wanted Kagura to loose. But then again, she wasn't surprised. Kagura wasn't exactly the nicest person. But then again, you know that already. While Kagura began drifting off into thought about what she was going to eat when she got home, Fu took a punch at the girl. Since, Fu was rather short, her tiny fist hit her square in her stomach. Kagura came back from her thoughts when she felt the tiny prick. Then her stomach growled and a few people laughed. The slightly embarrassed red head lifted Fu by the wrist and tossed her aside.

“I'm hungry so could we speed things along?” she said in an extremely bored tone.

Sasame stared at the girl from his spot across the room with intense eyes and a serious expression. She never takes anything seriously. How could someone like that be blessed with the gift of being good at everything? Sasame was just awaiting her to actually start fighting. He wanted a show. Not, Kagura, bored. He could see that at home, or during lunch. As the coach called up another person, Kagura noticed him staring and her expression completely changed from that of angry boredom to slight surprise. Then she mouthed out the words `don't worry, you'll get your turn.' His eyes fell on her mouth and he blushed a little again. Great…dammit. He quickly snapped his eyes in another direction. Mawata noticed the staring and slightly frowned before smiling at Sasame.

“How long do you think the new girl will last Sasame-kun?”

“Huh? I wouldn't know really,” he lied. He had a good feeling of how long she'd last. And she didn't even want to be there to begin with. But then again, someone had to put Kagura in her place before she became too cocky in her position here.

“Oh, I've been studying palm reading lately,” Mawata smiled again.

“Really? You actually believe in that stuff?”

“And why not?” the third year student fake pouted. But that ever beautiful smile found itself on her lips again. Sasame smiled back. “Depending on what finger your fate line points toward, is what you're good at. Let me see your hand.” Sasame handed it to her and stared down with curious eyes. She traced a slender finger over the line that started down near his wrist and up the path it traveled. Just being this close to him, having him smile at her like that, being able to touch the hands of her prince made her shiver inside a bit. “Yours points toward your pinky. That's the Mercury finger. It means you're good at communicating with people.” Then Mawata passed her finger over the line starting toward the pinky side of his hand and traced it in it's upward slope. “And this is your heart line. It shows your outlook on life. When it slopes upward like that it shows you've got a positive outlook on life. And this here is your life line.”

“Mine is short and it splits. I'm going to die an early death.”

Mawata laughed at him. “No silly. It means you'll have a turning point in life. Like a move, new car, change in career, new girlfriend maybe?”

Sasame noticed the emphasis she put on girlfriend and laughed. “I don't know about that last one. But that new car idea sounds nice,” he smiled.

Kagura rid the next two similar to the first. She was growing more annoyed than bored. Then she looked over in Sasame's direction really without meaning to. It had been a normal reaction after hearing laughs. That's when she saw Mawata and Sasame smiling and laughing together. She ran her finger all along his palm while staring at him with a huge smile on her face. Not only that, but he had been smiling back. What? Kagura…you're not jealous. That would be stupid. She's probably his girlfriend or something. You never `did' ask if he had one…not that you care…wait why am I thinking in third person? Not that `I' care. No big deal, she seems his type anyway. Kagura noticed Mawata staring back for a moment and averted her eyes to the new coming person, ready to fight. After Mawata and he had finished joking around, he went back to his intense stare without noticing. He noticed her increasingly becoming a little more alert with each person who came. Each one being better than the last. The coach seemed to be very pleased with this. She had just finished off the guy third to the top and was rather surprised when Mawata finally got up. The girl was expressionless, her green hair tied up away from her eyes. Then it came. She looked serious. Kagura looked her up and down before smirking. It was also evident that with the increase in challenge for her, the happier she became. It was rather odd and gave off a cocky air to her already full-blown personality. Mawata bowed to her and she returned the gesture lazily. But when it came down, ready for them to fight, Mawat just stood there in stance, expecting Kagura to come to her first. Kagura would have usually charged her in a heart attack. But what fun would that be. Besides, if she expected Kagura to attack first, then that would mean she had an offense to counter with. “Look…Mawata I think it was…I can wait here forever. So if you don't mind?” Kagura just stood there, grinning at her. She hadn't moved. She sighed and approached first when it was obvious Mawata wasn't moving. The graceful girl was quick, and it was obvious now how she had gotten where she was. She had to have punched Kagura twice in the stomach before kneeling down to trip her. Kagura fell on her back, too surprised to have even thought about countering. Mawata had a faint smile on her face. Kagura smiled back. She lifted herself from the floor in one swift motion, and brought her fist in contact with Mawata's stomach just as fast. The girl's hands clutched around Kagura's arm. Her fingers shaking a little. Then she slumped off, onto the floor. The smile on Kagura's face was replaced by a stoney look. “Someone should help her up,” she muttered to the class, making it clear she wasn't about to do it. Mawata glared at Kagura s she was helped off to her spot on the side.

“You alright?” Sasame asked. He didn't seem too concerned. More curious than such.

“I'm fine. It was my mistake for just standing there,” she mumbled. Her hand clutched the spot where she was hit. “It doesn't hurt much. I'm sure you hit harder.”

Sasame got up from his spot, a small smirk on his face. “This should be fun…”

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It had been quiet for a while. Sasame had ignored the fact that she fell so easy when he first hit her. It was pretty obvious she had lost on purpose but she just used that '`'' worn out and hungry' excuse. “That was…interesting,” Sasame finally spoke. There was a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Don't get mad. I just didn't see the point in going on when I'm just going to quit after the principal says I've been punished long enough.”

“Then why'd you even bother fighting Mawata?”

Kagura remembered the way that green mop stared at her. “I wasn't really thinking about it `til you got up. Why? Are you angry about it?”

“No.” They head toward the school doors when they noticed a slight drizzle pouring down. “O crap! My car. The hood's down.” Sasame pulled his jacket over his head, as did Kagura as they ran out to the car. The seats were damp but not soaked because the rain hadn't come down that hard. But, by the time the two had gotten into the car and Ssame put the hood down, it had started beaming down like pin needles slicing through the air. The cold weather wasn't helping any. It was now mid-November and winter was approaching. Along with winter, it's holidays. “Great.” Sasame used a rag that he found under the seat to dry off the inside of the car while they sat motionless in the student parking lot. Kagura was half hoping he had a towel there too. But nothing. She sat in the passenger's seat looking like a wet dog. Her hair was soaked and clung to the sides of her face. The sweater to her uniform was wet too but she didn't notice until now how well she had gotten those blood stains out. Ssame hadn't looked up at her once, focussing on wiping the water from his car. Then he looked up when he thought he heard her say something. “What? I didn't hear you.”

“I said sorry,” she mumbled. The words almost running back into her mouth after spoken. “You know, if I made you angry for forfeiting.”

The blonde sighed and wiped the wet hair from her face. He told her he wasn't angry but thought it best to just let her fell sorry for herself. “It's alright. No big deal,” he said. He hadn't given her that usual happy go lucky smile that's usually always on his face and it disturbed her for some reason. Then she smiled. “What?”

Your girlfriend back there. She can really take a punch.”

Sasame was a little surprised. “You mean Mawata? I already told you I don't-“

“You already told me what?” Kagura asked.

Sasame had stopped speaking when he remembered she couldn't recall anything from that night. “Never-mind. Mawata and I are just friends. One of the few I actually have that isn't into me like…that.”

Kagura stared at him for a while, then looked out the window at the falling rain. “Oh…” was all she managed to say. Well don't I feel stupid…

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

“You brought it up,” he smirked.

She blushed a little and went on the defensive. “Oh don't look at me like that. It was simple misunderstanding. I can't ask a simple question without you thinking too much about it?”

“Not really,” he answered honestly before starting up the car and pulling out of the parking lot. It was quiet for a while, before Kagura decided to ring out her hair inside the car. “Hey! I just finished drying the car off,” Sasame complained.

“I was dripping a puddle in here anyway,” she reasoned before doing the same to another section of her hair. “Besides, I'm going to get sick.”

“I think I'm already sick,” he mumbled to himself.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” he said with the widest smile he could force.

“Pay attention to the road!” They swerved out of the way of a deer and landed right in a muddy ditch. “Great,” she snarled.

“Come over here and step on the gas while I try pushing it out,” Sasame said before opening the door and stepping out into the rain again. The deer ran across the street without a scratch and took cover under the trees there. “Shouldn't they be hibernating?” Then the boy planted both hands on the back of the car and tried rocking it out of the hole. This had been the same large ditch the town was supposed to get fixed a long time ago but the money instead went to expanding the shopping center. It would have worked better if both back tires hadn't got stuck in it. “Hit the gas!” Sasame shouted, knowing full and well that he'd be splattered with mud when she did. Kagura stomped down on the gas but nothing happened. “I said press the gas!” he shouted.

“That's what I'm doing!” Kagura shouted back. She noticed him coming back around the car and scooted back over to her original seat. He was more drenched then before and he didn't look to happy. He pressed down on the gas himself, as if to say she had probably been doing it wrong. “I told you I did that already,” she glared.

“It's not your fault,” he sighed. The light on the car dashboard blinked every time he tried turning the keys. “The battery's dead. Now of all times, the battery goes dead.”

Kagura's expression went from annoyed to angry to unreadable. “Do you have a self jumper in the car?”

“No. It's in my mom's.” He sighed again. “I'll try calling her.” He pulled out his cell-phone and dialed the number. “Hello?” The voice belonged to Hayate. It came in scratchy because the signal was bad due to the rain and on coming bolts of light. “Hayate? We need you to call somebody to come and tow us. We got stuck in a ditch and it's raining,” Sasame practically shouted into the phone, trying to be louder then the hailing rain, ripping wind, and rumbles of thunder. The storm was just becoming worse. The news had just mentioned it would rain later tonight but not a storm like this so early. Kagura jumped at how loud the next one was. The storm had come so quick and now they were stranded out on a ditch on the side of the road surrounded by woods.

“My day just keeps getting better and better,” Kagura muttered.

Sasame hung up the phone and banged his fist up against the steering wheel. “Hayate called someone to tow us. He's driving out with the guy so we don't have to ride in the tow truck,” he informed in a rather bland and distracted manner.

“I'd rather ride with the tow truck,” Kagura snapped.

Sasame glanced over at the irritated girl as she practically threw her seatbelt off. Her legs were crossed and so were her arms, clothes jumbled out of place. She had the most pissed look on her face and she was wet so that didn't help. His face was a little red when she noticed him staring for so long. “What is it?” she asked, the pissed expression gone.

“Uh,” Sasame looked down at the steering wheel and blurt out the first thing that came to mind. “Your tattoo's showing.”

The bands were firm around her forearms so he couldn't have been talking about that. That's when it struck her. She looked down at herself. Her sweater had drooped down due to all the water it was holding. And the shirt she wore under was white. Everyone knows when white shirts get wet, they become see through. And Kagura would have been alert, but he didn't sound afraid. “It doesn't bother you?” she asked, surprised.

“Why should it? Doesn't make you any different a person. Besides…I saw it a long time ago already.”

“WHAT! How?”

Her suspicious glare on him scared the blonde a bit. “It was by accident! Really!” he said, trying to wave away her suspicion. I'm not about to tell her me and my cousins peeped into her window and saw that tattoo on her chest.

She looked angry for a while before calming down. “So you don't care?” she asked, less interested.

“Whatever you used to do is none of my business really. You're not a bad person now and that's all that really matters right?”

Kagura stared at him a while. Hearing him say that under different circumstances, would have made her feel better. But she had just shot someone yesterday. That didn't sound like such an improvement from back then now did it? She slumped down further into her seat. “…yeah, thanks.”

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Kagura…it's raining…we're stuck in this car…and for some reason, you're thinking about something else other than that? That does mean there's something wrong.”

“I did it for Himeno really. Not that I had a choice in the matter.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“I do remember you asking me where I get all that money. Being a Saint was more like a job. You make money there. I have enough money for me and Himeno to be set for life. All of it, just sitting there. I'm adopted so I go to college free anyway but life afterward. I wouldn't have to work if I didn't want to. When I was a Saint, at that same time, I didn't even expect to get adopted. I was just worried about my sister…”

Ssame stayed quiet for a while. He knew if she wasn't going to freely say what she did to get the money, then he wasn't going to ask. But she really did worry about her sister 90 percent of her life. “Does she know?”

“About the money? No…if she did know how I got it, she wouldn't want it.”

“She's going to find out sooner or later.”

It got quiet again. The rain came down harder if possibly. Outside the window, blurs of color were barely visible. “I know.”

“You're too busy taking care of her. Who's supposed to take care of you?”

“I can take care of myself,” she grinned. It was kind of like she were trying to erase the tension in the car with a mock grin. Buuuuut it wasn't working. “Stop staring at me like th---“ Kagura froze when Sasame placed his cold, wet hand on the side of her face.

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Hayate pulled up behind Sasame's car. He could barely see the ditch it was stuck in due to the rain and mud. Sanma had let him borrow the car. It had taken them so long to get there because it was hard driving when you could barely see the road in front of you. So he was driving extremely slow. He pulled the hood of his raincoat up over his head and threw the broken umbrella in the back seat. The wind had completely blown it inside out. And one of the metal legs broke. Besides, he didn't want to go around carrying a giant metal rod in a storm like this. He quickly got out of the car and ran over toward Sasame's. He was just about to tap on the window when he saw something. Something so horribly wrong he could have thrown up right there. Kagura ran her hands through his wet hair while Sasame tried his hardest to pull her as close as he could over the gear. Hayate finally banged on the window. “STOP THAT!” he shouted over the rain. The two in the car jumped at how loud he shouted. They got out of the car and ran over toward Sanma's. There was one problem though.

“I can't believe you locked the fucking keys IN the car!” Kagura shouted. Hayate groaned and slumped down beside the car, banging his head up against it in the process.

“Calm down Kagura. It was an accident. Everybody just get back inside the other car.”

“I'm not getting in there. It's tainted now!”

“You can't be serious.” One last bolt of lightening stroke before the rain started letting up. But that last bolt of lightening hit a tree, and that tree was beginning to fall.

Sasame stared at it with wide eyes. “Please don't-“ His words were cut off by the sound of his car smashing under the massive tree, just as the tow-truck pulled up. “Today really sucked…” Then he glanced over at Kagura who was drenched, angry, and still trying to open the car door. She looked back up at him and smirked a little. I guess it didn't suck that bad…